Kiwi rarity

[T.W.R]

This extremely well presented Z900 Kawasaki stopped in at the tearooms next to work the other day, so as it was we had to have a nosey over it :innocent:

The owner said it was one of a few that Ken McIntosh had waved his magic hands over, braced frame and box section braced swingarm etc

Anyone know anything about these, as there can't be many getting about the country.

The pics don't really do it justice, It was absolutely mint and the engine ran as sweet as a nut :Punk:

[Dadpole]

Very nice. They were a stunningly good looking bike in their day. I remember trying to chase one on my T350 through Wgtn when they first came out. A black engine though? I thought all the 900 series had the alloy finish, though I am trying to remember back quite a few years.

[T.W.R]

Very nice. They were a stunningly good looking bike in their day. I remember trying to chase one on my T350 through Wgtn when they first came out. A black engine though? I thought all the 900 series had the alloy finish, though I am trying to remember back quite a few years.

Still a stunner these days :yes:

The engine had had some work done to it :yes: didn't get into what had been done but it looked the goods:drool: and I think around 76-77 black casings made an appearance on Zeds

[shafty]

Great pics TWR - cheers, - cool to see a classic stunner being used on the road. (showing me age!)

[slowpoke]

Yep, something like this is the bike equivalent of a MILF. It isn't the same as a taut young thing but it's still a hottie 30years on from it's hey day.

[Meanie]

Nice very nice and in showroom condition too :yes:

[Edbear]

Sweeeet!!!

[pete376403]

Reversed fork legs and twin disks aren't exactly as it came from the showroom but very pretty for all that.

Any truth in the story that Suzuki copied this engine for the GS series? I've heard that parts interchange but never had a Z motor apart so can't confirm that.

[Motig]

Great Bikes, unfortunately that one appears to have aged better than me. I look nothing like my photos back in the 70's, I was a slimline model back then. The 1st 900's had the black engines but changed to the metal finish with subsequent models. Something to do with the black finish not wanting to stay on according to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics and the black came back and stayed on for the Z1R and Z1000 MkII.

[What?]

Any truth in the story that Suzuki copied this engine for the GS series? I've heard that parts interchange but never had a Z motor apart so can't confirm that.

None at all.
Only interchangable parts are some of the screws that hold it together, and maybe the spark plugs.

[nudemetalz]

Very nice, Bill. Thanks for sharing.
Betcha she sounded great.

[Dadpole]

The reversed fork legs were the first thing to do back in the day.
Every bike mag pushed that mod to improve the handling (and the bikes of that era needed all the help they could get).

I was perving at an early Z1000 at the Wairarapa air show. Nice bike, but I think the Z900 was the pornstar of that era.

[T.W.R]

The owner said it was one of a few that Ken McIntosh had waved his magic hands over, braced frame and box section braced swingarm etc

Anyone know anything about these, as there can't be many getting about the country.



Anyone have any ideas on the Ken McIntosh connection? was this Zed9 a one-off, short run like the BR suzis, or done to order type of bike?

either way it's a pretty unique machine with the improvements that it has :yes:


It isn't the same as a taut young thing but it's still a hottie 30years on from it's hey day.

:Punk: Can't beat a legend with class :rockon:


Very nice, Bill. Thanks for sharing.
Betcha she sounded great.

The shop is starting to become a magnet for classics :yes:

supprisingly it wasn't that loud, but it had a nice deep growl as it took off :Punk:

[98tls]

beautiful bill................reminds me of that classic movie......Stone

[T.W.R]

beautiful bill................reminds me of that classic movie......Stone

:Punk: you must have read my mind :yes: that's the 1st thing that went through it when I saw the Zed with the wee bikini fairing "STONE" Rep :Punk:

[Hitcher]

Whoar. Wet dreams are made of these. Maybe they should be bottled and sold as a cure for erectile disfunction.

[Kiwibiker]

gees I remember those days, mate of mine had one until he tried to tweak it and blew it up - never seen it again :(

[Guitana]

I had the Z1000 some years back what a great bike should never have sold it!A real classic!!!

[MyGSXF]

Wicked lookin bike Bill.. :Punk: what a minter!!! :scooter:

[Drum]

Then this should bring a tear to the eye!...........

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-87676969.htm

Damn that's a nice bike!

[Warr]

Then this should bring a tear to the eye!...........

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-87676969.htm

Damn that's a nice bike!
Would bring more than a tear to my wallet ... man at $14,550 and still another 15% to reserve !

[T.W.R]

Then this should bring a tear to the eye!...........

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-87676969.htm

Damn that's a nice bike!

:Punk: actually watching it :yes: as another possible shop bike to keep the Z1R-TC company :shutup:

I'm more interested in this as it's a bit rarer :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=87704974&key=792764

[gav]

Yeah, both of those have caught my eye too, that ELR is very tidy and reasonably priced too!
Think Ken use to offer swingarms and such like as a sideline. I remember enquiring about a swingarm for my old gasaxe 1100, price wasnt too bad but more than I could afford at the time.
Still like the old Z1's, kinda wish I still had my old one, but then I remember but it was really like.....
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6422&d=1105515670

[T.W.R]

Yeah, both of those have caught my eye too, that ELR is very tidy and reasonably priced too!

Still like the old Z1's, kinda wish I still had my old one, but then I remember but it was really like.....
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6422&d=1105515670

That ELR is pretty nice alright :yes: just one thing makes it a bit dubious though; The Z1000R ran for 2yrs 82-83 then in 84 went to 1100cc so either it's a 83 1st registered in 84 or something else is going on? but with the original parts included plus the tricky bits does make it a good buy either way.

I bet you wish you still had that indeed :yes: quick glimpse at the pic looks almost like an extra from MAD MAX